[photopress:hu_jintao.jpg,full,alignright]Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao has vowed to ‘purify’ the internet according to state media at a top-level meeting that discussed ways to master the country’s online population.
Hu Jintao made the comments as the ruling party’s Politburo — its 24-member leading council — was studying China’s internet, which claimed 137 million registered users at the end of 2006.
There was no direct mention of censorship but Hu Jintao made it clear that the Communist Party was looking to ensure it keeps control of China’s internet users.
He said, according to the official Xinhau news agency, the party had to ‘strengthen administration and development of our country’s internet culture. Maintain the initiative in opinion on the internet and raise the level of guidance online. We must promote civilised running and use of the internet and purify the internet environment.’
The China Internet Network Information Centre has said in 2006, China’s Internet users grew by 26-million, or 23.4%, year-on-year, to reach 10.5% of the total population.
Hu Jintao told officials to intensify control even as they seek to release the internet’s economic potential. He said, ‘Ensure that one hand grasps development while one hand grasps administration.’
Source: People’s Daily Online